Bergen
County Zoological Park (Van Saun Park Zoo)Van Saun Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus
201-262-3771
Set in Bergen County's Van Saun Park this is small zoo with three
different types of monkeys, a mountain lion, an ocelot, various
types of exotic birds including an Arctic owl and an Andean condor,
plus a farm area with cows, sheep, pigs, and a horse. They also
have an "North American Plains" section that includes
bison, elk and three bald eagles. The zoo is renovating, but they
plan to have a bobcat and a greenhouse that will house butterflies
very soon.

Cape
May County Park Zoo Route 9 & Crest Haven Road
Cape May Court House
609-465-5271
The Cape May County park Zoo is accredited by the American Association
of Zoological parks and is located on 128 acres in Cape May County
Park. The reptile building suffered an electrical fire in 1998,
killing over 200 lizards, turtles, snakes and insects. Since then,
numerous donations and insurance money have enabled them to build
a new 750,000 reptile facility which houses over 190 reptiles. The
zoo has over 300 species of animals and birds including camels,
cougars, lions, giraffes, leopards, monkeys, black bear, zebra and
many more. Picnic facilities, a playground, trails and a fishing
pond are all located within in the park. Open everyday, all year
round (weather permitting) from 10am - 4:45 pm and admission is
free (sometimes a donation may be requested).Cohanzick
ZooBridgeton City Park
Bridgeton
856-455-3230 ext. 242 or 277
1,000 acre zoo housing over 200 birds and animals from around the
world including white tigers, zebras, leopards, wolves, ring-tailed
lemurs, Himalayan black bears, lions, eagles and more. This zoo
is set in Bridgeton City Park, which has picnic tables, hiking trails,
playground and other park facilities. The zoo is open year everyday,
all year. Admission is FREE

Green
Meadows Petting Farm330 Middle Rd.
Hazlet NJ 07730
732-335-5589
GREEN MEADOWS FARM offers an ideal country learning environment
for people of all ages. Our goal is to educate children and adults
about farm animals. We accomplish this through guided tours geared
to the age level of the children. Each visitor is encouraged to
have a hands-on experience by touching all of our animals. Our farm
is ideal for elementary and nursery schools, day care centers, families,
church groups, scouts, birthday parties and company picnics. Hundreds
of animals including: pigs, cows, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys,
mule, calves, llamas, alpacas, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys,
rabbits, puppies and more. Tractor-drawn hayride. Milk a cow. Picnic
area. Beverages, snacks and souvenirs. Hand sanitizers at all exibits.
OPEN SEASONALLY. Visit website for Dates, Rates and Times. Children
2 and under FREE. Where Learning is Fun.

Johnson Park Zoo River Road
Piscataway
732-745-3900
Small park zoo with farm and other wild animals. Located within
the picturesque Johnson Park which houses tennis courts, bike paths,
snack stand and much more. Open Daily Dusk until Dawn and admission
is Free.

Lakota
Wolf Preserve 89 Mount Pleasant Road
Columbia
877-SEE-WOLF
Enjoy a scenic walk to the Lakota Wolf Preserve observing the many
forms of local wildlife along the way. Upon arrival at the Preserve
you will be invited to the observation area, in the center of four
packs of wolves. During the informal talks with the people who raised
and care for the wolves you will learn about the social structure
of wolf packs, their eating habits, their interaction with man and
many other interesting facts. While in the observation area you
will be able to watch the wolves play, interact with each other
and maybe even hear them howl. Wolf Watch program presented Twice
Daily (Summer Hours) - 10:30 and 4:00. Fall & Winter (Standard
Time) Twice Daily - 10:30 and 3:00. No Appointment Needed Saturdays
and Sundays. Call for Reservations for Monday through Friday.

Popcorn
Park Zoo Humane Way & Lacey Road
Forked River
609-693-1900
A very special zoo founded in 1977 to rescue and house animals that
are sick, elderly, abandoned, abused or injured which could no longer
survive in the wild. Over 200 domestic and exotic animals including
an African Elephant, regal African lions, Bengal and Siberian tigers,
American black bears, monkeys, llama, an Angus bull, goats, deer
and many more are nestled in the scenic Pine Barrens. Learn how
they found the animals and what they have done to save them. Open
All year round, everyday from 11am - 5pm. Contributions are accepted
as they receive no federal, state or local funding of any kind.
Pictured is Tina, a Bengal Tiger who was abused behind the scenes
of the big top when she was part of a traveling circus.Six
Flags Great Adventure Safari ParkRoute 537
Jackson
732-928-1821
Billed as the largest drive-thru safari outside of Africa, this
park is indeed huge. It is located on 350 acres and houses nearly
1,200 animals including Rhinoceros, giraffes, ostriches, baboons,
kangaroos, tigers, camels, elephants, elks and much, much more.
The animal areas are divided into "continents" covering
a 4.5 mile drive, taking approximately 1 hour to complete (depending
how slow you view). Be forewarned: They have an exit ramp prior
to entering the baboon section for a reason! They will completely
examine your vehicle in groups. If you have a convertible, a scratchless
paint job, an ornament on your hood, an antenna sticking up, or
loose molding, you won't after you've finished driving through!
Amusement Park information can be found at Amusement
Parks in NJ. Hurricane Harbor, their waterpark, can be found
at Waterparks in
NJ.

Space
Farms Zoo & Museum218 Route 519
Beemerville
973-875-5800
Established in 1927 by Ralph & Elizabeth Space, this 100-acre
zoo houses over 500 animals and more than 100 different species.
Some of the animals include buffalo, lions, tigers, timber wolves,
llamas, jaguars, monkeys, wild ponies and many more. I had the privilege
of seeing their Guinness Record largest bear in the world (2000
lbs.,12 feet tall) prior to him passing on in 1991. They also hold
three life longevity records for the bobcat (33 years), jaguar (21
years) and puma (22 years). A restaurant, gift shop, picnic area,
store, playground and miniature golf are on premises. The museum
houses over 100,000 items including antique autos, carriages, wagons,
farm tools, Civil War weapons, a rare doll collection and much more.Thompson Park Zoo Forsgate Drive
Jamesburg
732-521-1150
A very small farm animal zoo located within Thompson Park. Open
Sunrise - sunset, all year long and admission is FREE.

Marine
Mammal Stranding Center Brigantine Boulevard
Brigantine
609-266-0538
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center responds to marine mammal and
sea turtle strandings along the NJ coast. MMSC is open to the public
all year round, however, in the winter the hour are restricted to
weekends only. The public can view the animals rehabilitating through
the glass doors of the facility. The public is not allowed to enter
the animal areas, as they are quarantined, and consequently there
is no direct contact with the animals. They have a museum which
houses features 25 life size replicas of marine mammals and fish,
all found or stranded in New Jersey waters. In addition, educational
displays explain the plight of marine animals that ingest ocean
debris. A "Please Touch" display of marine mammal bones,
features a sperm whale's jaw bone, dolphin spinal column, skulls,
vertebrae and rib bones. The gift shop found in the same building,
is one of their primary sources of funding. Their ever popular "Cupid
the Seal" t-shirts, coffee mugs, window decals, and pins, provide
a regular source of funding for the Center to maintain it's operations.
In addition, one can find unique designs of gold and silver jewelry,
blanket throws, children's books and games, and stuffed animals.
There is no admission charge, however MMSC asks for a $1 donation
per visitor to help fund the rehabilitation of the animals.

Jenkinson's
AquariumOn the boardwalk
Point Pleasant
732-899-1212
Jenkinson's Aquarium is located on the popular Point Pleasant boardwalk.
They house a variety of sharks, seals, alligators, stingrays, penguins
and more. A hands-on touch tank allows visitors to feel some of
the fish (not the alligators or sharks!). Also home of the Bounty,
the original boat used in Mutiny on the Bounty. Call for feeding
schedules. Numerous special events are held each weekend, check
their website for a complete calendar. The aquarium is available
for private functions after hours from mid-September to mid May.

New
Jersey State Aquarium1 Riverside Drive
Camden
609-365-3300  800-616-5297
New Jersey's largest aquarium with a 760,000 gallon open ocean tank
holding well over 1,500 fish, 2 dozen sharks, sting rays, sea turtles
and more totaling over 4,000 aquatic animals. Also seals, odd reptiles,
exhibits and shows. Shows and events are held throughout the day
which may include seal shows, dive show, films, Drama Gills shows,
animal talks and presentations. Keep an eye out for CHOMPS, the
aquariums mascot, as he can be found intermingling with guests.
When you get hungry, the Riverview Indoor/Outdoor Cafe offers a
stunning panorama view of the Philadelphia skyline and offers a
lunch menu and snacks. If you would like some souvenirs, the Treasures
Gift shop carries a collection of aquatic themed gift items. Special
events are held at various time throughout the year. A fully covered,
multi level parking garage is located across from the aquarium.
Call for special activities and show times.